High Protein Orecchiette Pasta with Tomato Sauce

Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this High Protein Orecchiette Pasta with Tomato Sauce, a hearty and nutritious twist on a classic Italian favorite. Featuring tender chickpea flour orecchiette, this dish packs a powerful protein punch while maintaining the comforting flavors of traditional pasta. The rich, aromatic tomato sauce is infused with sautéed onions, garlic, and a blend of dried herbs like basil and oregano, balanced by a hint of red pepper flakes for just the right kick. Juicy, bite-sized pieces of cooked chicken breast take this meal to the next level, while fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese provide a flavorful finishing touch. Ready in just 45 minutes and perfect for meal prep, this protein-packed pasta is an ideal choice for health-conscious foodies seeking satisfying, wholesome meals without sacrificing taste. Perfect for families or as leftovers, it’s a deliciously simple dish that checks all the boxes for quick, nutritious, and flavorful cooking.

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz chickpea flour orecchiette pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
• 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves
• 2 cups cooked chicken breast
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the chickpea flour orecchiette pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves. Add the onion to the skillet and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the skillet; cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the can of crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and ground black pepper.

Step 6

Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes until it thickens slightly, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Chop the cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and add it to the sauce. Cook for 5 more minutes until the chicken is heated through.

Step 8

Add the reserved pasta water to the sauce to reach your desired consistency, then add the cooked orecchiette pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat.

Step 9

Remove from heat, tear fresh basil leaves, and add them along with half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix gently.

Step 10

Serve the pasta hot, garnished with the remaining Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1711.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2503.8

Total Fat 75.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 326.7mg	0%
Sodium 3414.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 254.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 48.1g	0%
Total Sugars 65.8g
Protein 208.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 839.4mg	0%
Iron 26.6mg	0%
Potassium 5125.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 26.8%

Protein: 33.0%

Carbs: 40.2%